Is This The Real Life? Documentaries You Love

[tamaradixon]

I rented Murderball over the weekend.

Can I have my $5.99 back please!?

[pistachioofliberty]

I really liked how every time you thought you knew what was going on and who was lying, the film would take another turn. If you see it on DVD, watch the special features for more info on the investigation and prosecution.

I love that, when you can't feel the filmmaker breathing down your neck telling you what to think. I felt especially undecided about guilt after Paradise Lost.

[Deleted]

OK, who has seen 49 up? Spill the beans, UK-ers!

Well I'm not a UK-er, but I really want to see this. I saw the original Seven Up! on tv years ago and thought it was a pretty cool idea. I wonder if Blockbuster has the series? Probably have to go to a more independent store to find it I would imagine.

Adding to the Mad Hot Ballroom love here. I watched it over Christmas and my entire family thought it was interesting, funny and a little sad too. When the teachers are talking about how the kids could end up on the streets it makes it pretty real about where they are growing up. It was great to see them so happy about dancing.

March of the Penguins was awesome too. I know it's the most praised documentary these days but it deserves the attention. It's so beautiful and natural, regardless of being a "love story" or whatever it's being sold as. It's just plain good and even hilarious in parts. I wish I had a penguin friend.

[WitchyPoo]

A good deal of my, say, Top 25 favorite movies are documentaries. Crumb, When We Were Kings, Paradise Lost, Grey Gardens, Dig! are some. It just goes to show how difficult it really is to create a "real" character in film. It's the subtleties in documentaries that have the greatest impact. The hard truths, climactic events and shocking moments are not accompanied by big muscial scores to let you know that an important moment is happening.

[mrpancake]

I liked March of the Penguins for the absolutely stunning cinematography. God, it was just beautiful.

[Britty]

I felt especially undecided about guilt after Paradise Lost.

Have you seen Paradise Lost 2: Revelations? It will likely tip the scales for you.

[Shanmac]

I loved "American Movie." I could not believe my eyes last week when Mark B. and Mike appeared, in cartoon form, on "Family Guy."

[carolinarice]

I've always enjoyed documentaries about nature, and recently saw a fascinating documentary called Grizzly Man- about Tim Treadwell, who was killed in Alaska by the very bears he was trying to protect. Even though I found Treadwell to be a naive, narcissictic whackjob, I was still captivated by the story and how the filmmaker was able to turn Treadwell's story into a cautionary tale about how good intentions can go awry.

[pistachioofliberty]

Thanks for reminding me about that one! I remember readin the article about it on Slate and then....nuttin.

Have you seen Paradise Lost 2: Revelations? It will likely tip the scales for you.

I fugured it would...maybe that's why I keep forgetting to rent it, even though I know I want to. I think I like keeping the mystery alive. And wow those kids were creepy. Though I think Harmony Korine kids are ever worse in their own way.

[marywebgirl]

You haven't seen creepy until you've seen the dad of one of the boys who was killed in Paradise Lost 2.